Radical: CONNECTION
"Connection is why we are here. We are hard-wired to connect with others, it is what gives us purpose and meaning to our lives, and without it there is suffering." ~Brené Brown
It has been an epic 365 days.
Not just where we are but how we are now. How we’ve arrived at this moment in history. With ourselves, one another, and the larger global community.
Our world feels fragile; we feel weary. Worn down.
Looking back on my own journey, two words come to mind when I think of my ‘how’: distress and eustress. There has been very little middle ground.
Distress is extreme suffering, either mental or physical, which causes anxiety, sorrow, or pain. Hello, global pandemic.
Eustress is positive stress; think of your first date with your significant other. A euphoric, excited feeling washed over you.
What we are lacking are the day-to-day social interactions that keep us balanced. The equilibrium of connections to help us through distress and to celebrate eustress. Hugs. Smiles. Reassurance.
In our limited in-person interactions, half of our faces are covered. Eyes darting, proximity guarded and distanced. Our familiar connection points are taboo.
So, when life events happen, good and bad, the needle swings wildly from high to low without social cues and the physical support of others to help us navigate.
We feel out of body. Out of mind. Out of sync.
I have come to cherish personal connection time and conversations. Even distanced contact, whether that’s waving to a neighbor on a walk or chatting with friends and family over Zoom.
My connections are everything. And, more important than ever. I have so much respect and compassion for where we’ve all been. It’s a tender time. We need one another.
So, for anyone who needs to hear this: I’m here for you. I’ll be your connection point. Anytime.